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| "Spring is when you feel like whistling,
even with a shoe full of
slush"- Doug
Larson | |
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Greetings!
This has been a long cold,
winter for everyone. As much as I love the snow, I am
anxious for spring. It is so wonderful to see bulbs making
their way through the cold earth ! This month I am thinking
about including edible plants in my borders and expanding my
cutting garden. Now is the time get your seeds started! There
are many websites to go to and of course, your local nurseries
have their seed packets just waiting for a new home! The sun
is warmer, the days are longer...can't be long before we will
be outside planting!
Linda Finn |
 Grow
an Edible Garden this year!
Vegetable gardens
don't have to be unsightly...if you look closely at the photo,
a combination of thyme, violets and onions make an
attractive planting.
Here
is a short course on edible plants to get you
started: Mild flavored flowers include Pansies , Violets and Violas, Day lilies,
Roses, the crimson flowers of the Scarlet Runner
beans and the bright blue
blossoms of Borage. Nasurtium petals which can be
described as spicy are also delicate enough to be used in
almost anything. The part of the petal you want to avoid is
the "heel" , where they join together, and the heart of
the flower. (You can also eat the leaves of the Nasturtiums as
well..sometimes described as a cross between mustard and
watercress.)
Marigolds, Calendulas
and Chrysanthemums have a more assertive flavor , with
an acrid edge that you can get of hint of in their fragrances.
The flowers of herbs such as Lavender,
Hyssop, Thyme and Sage can vary , so be sure to taste
before using. when xperimenting, just be sure the flower is
safe to eat..then nibble away!
Atwww.burpee.com you
can find Sunflowers of all sizes,
from "Elf" ( 14-16" tall) to the "Kong" hybrid that grows 14
feet tall. These produce edible seeds for both you and
the goldfinches.
To
find out more about Daylilies and to get a recipe for "Daylily
cheesecake" go to www.tranquil-lake.com for Tranquil Lake Nursery's webpage ( they
are the largest grower of Daylilies in the northeastern U.S
located .in
Rehoboth Mass.)
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  After
Seaside Patio
Using natural bluestone for a
patio can be either formal, with pieces cut into squares or
rectangles, or more informal as you can see above. A
stone patio provides warmth in the cooler months and can be
planted with hardy Mediterranean type plants such as lavender,
snow-in-summer, catmint and thyme. Filling in areas around
your patio with herbs such as Rosemary , Sage, Thyme , Boxwood
basil, and Lemon Balm are convenient for summer
cooking.
Before |
Favorite
Plants Be
creative in your use of stone and plants! Small
boulders are a subtle accent to this bluestone patio.
The use of natural materials makes this patio fit nicely into
the Cape Cod environment . The tree pictured is a Rosebud-(Cercis canadensis). A native
spring flowering tree with beautiful pink flowers that emerge
before the leaves bud out. Another favorite of mine is
the Dwarf white pine-(Pinus strobus
'Nana'). A slow growing pine that fits into any New
England landscape.
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Please remember to support your local nurseries and
garden centers! This month you can go to Chaves Gardens in
Middletown to purchase seeds and to sign up for spring
workshops! They are having a "Grow your own naturally"
workshop on April 25th. Go to www.Chavesgardensri.com for more
information.
Sincerely,
Linda
Finn
Linda Finn Garden Design
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351 Compton View Dr
Middletown, Rhode Island
02842
401-258-6851 | |
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